I was a ST Gatorade Endurance reviewer:
Quick Summary: This MOP ‘tri-hard’ would strongly consider Gatorade Endurance (GE) for IM 140.6/70.3 branded races given some additional training/testing due to GE availability on course. Pluses: mixes easily, not too strong of a flavor, cherry tasted good, zero stomach issues during the testing period. Concerns: calories are low per bottle based on recommended preparation, flavor is stronger than I prefer during long training/races (t>4hrs), I did not enjoy the lemon-lime or orange taste.
Background: 40y male from NY, 6ft 170-165lbs, 6y in triathlon, 3xIMLP finisher (~11:30pb)…Lifelong athlete in ‘hand-eye’ sports but little endurance focus until triathlon. I have used a custom Infinit Formula with zero nutritional issues for all IM builds but requested to review the GE product after noticing some of the fast-looking guys having Gatorade Endurance (the previous formulation?) pre-loaded on their bikes at IM70.3 Syracuse in June. I am curious if living off the course could help eliminate concentrated bottles and stopping at special needs to re-load with Infinit.
Product tested: I received powdered forms of GE including (12) lemon lime individual servings, (1) 2lb tub of orange, and (1) 2lb tub of cherry along. Gatorade also included a kind hand written note and a GE water bottle. The product was used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. GE was used for all training after IMLP and in prep for IMLP70.3 including several long hikes (3-7hrs) while on vacation out west. This review will compare GE to the custom Infinit mix I use for all prior 140.6/70.3 races.
Taste, Convenience, Digestibility: GE has a noticeably milder flavor than Gatorade purchased at a gas station, but it is still stronger than I prefer and much stronger than my selected Infinit mix. It doesn’t taste too sugary to me and has a mild chemical/mineral-like after taste (probably due to the increased salts) that wasn’t bad. I liked the Cherry flavor the best and wasn’t a fan of either the lemon-lime or orange. I would tolerate any of these flavors for a 70.3 but I am less certain about a 140.6 or rides over 4hrs. The single serve packs were simple to use and all forms are instantly miscible with water suggesting that concentrated fuel bottles would be easily prepared. This is likely due to the very fine grind of the product which produces a wafting effect (dispersing cloud of sugar) as one scoops the product into a bottle. This is kind of annoying actually but may a sign of a quality manufacturing. I had no stomach issues during testing (never had any with Infinite either).
Nutritional Profile: I don’t feel that the calories as recommended will be sufficient for 140.6/70.3 training or racing. The electrolyte levels are significantly increased compared to traditional Gatorade products and are likely sufficient to eliminate salt tabs on the bike for me.
For Comparison to the custom Infinit I use per 24oz bottle:
Top Two Ingredients: GE=Maltodextrin, Fructose..…I=Maltodextrin, Dextrose
Calories: GE=180…I=273
Carbs (sugar): GE=46g(28g)..…I=64g(28g)
Protein: GE=0g..…I=3.7g
Sodium: GE=620mg…..I=416mg
Potassium: GE=280mg..…I=121mg
Calcium: GE=0mg..…I=28mg
Magnesium: GE=0mg..…I=21mg
Quick Summary: This MOP ‘tri-hard’ would strongly consider Gatorade Endurance (GE) for IM 140.6/70.3 branded races given some additional training/testing due to GE availability on course. Pluses: mixes easily, not too strong of a flavor, cherry tasted good, zero stomach issues during the testing period. Concerns: calories are low per bottle based on recommended preparation, flavor is stronger than I prefer during long training/races (t>4hrs), I did not enjoy the lemon-lime or orange taste.
Background: 40y male from NY, 6ft 170-165lbs, 6y in triathlon, 3xIMLP finisher (~11:30pb)…Lifelong athlete in ‘hand-eye’ sports but little endurance focus until triathlon. I have used a custom Infinit Formula with zero nutritional issues for all IM builds but requested to review the GE product after noticing some of the fast-looking guys having Gatorade Endurance (the previous formulation?) pre-loaded on their bikes at IM70.3 Syracuse in June. I am curious if living off the course could help eliminate concentrated bottles and stopping at special needs to re-load with Infinit.
Product tested: I received powdered forms of GE including (12) lemon lime individual servings, (1) 2lb tub of orange, and (1) 2lb tub of cherry along. Gatorade also included a kind hand written note and a GE water bottle. The product was used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. GE was used for all training after IMLP and in prep for IMLP70.3 including several long hikes (3-7hrs) while on vacation out west. This review will compare GE to the custom Infinit mix I use for all prior 140.6/70.3 races.
Taste, Convenience, Digestibility: GE has a noticeably milder flavor than Gatorade purchased at a gas station, but it is still stronger than I prefer and much stronger than my selected Infinit mix. It doesn’t taste too sugary to me and has a mild chemical/mineral-like after taste (probably due to the increased salts) that wasn’t bad. I liked the Cherry flavor the best and wasn’t a fan of either the lemon-lime or orange. I would tolerate any of these flavors for a 70.3 but I am less certain about a 140.6 or rides over 4hrs. The single serve packs were simple to use and all forms are instantly miscible with water suggesting that concentrated fuel bottles would be easily prepared. This is likely due to the very fine grind of the product which produces a wafting effect (dispersing cloud of sugar) as one scoops the product into a bottle. This is kind of annoying actually but may a sign of a quality manufacturing. I had no stomach issues during testing (never had any with Infinite either).
Nutritional Profile: I don’t feel that the calories as recommended will be sufficient for 140.6/70.3 training or racing. The electrolyte levels are significantly increased compared to traditional Gatorade products and are likely sufficient to eliminate salt tabs on the bike for me.
For Comparison to the custom Infinit I use per 24oz bottle:
Top Two Ingredients: GE=Maltodextrin, Fructose..…I=Maltodextrin, Dextrose
Calories: GE=180…I=273
Carbs (sugar): GE=46g(28g)..…I=64g(28g)
Protein: GE=0g..…I=3.7g
Sodium: GE=620mg…..I=416mg
Potassium: GE=280mg..…I=121mg
Calcium: GE=0mg..…I=28mg
Magnesium: GE=0mg..…I=21mg